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Open Poetry #40
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Felix In The Pool
| Open Poetry #40 |
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Felix In The Pool |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA 
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It’s the middle of May and the children in the family want to cool off in a nice swim. The only thing is, the pool is filthy from last summer, and it must be cleaned. That’s a job for Felix. Felix climbs into the pool, and starts scrubbing the bottom on his hands and knees. The sun is beating down on his thin, half-naked, olive skinned body. Every part of him, from his long black hair, down his scrawny neck, down the runnels of his back, to his long legs glistens with perspiration. The salty sweat dripping into his eyes has him practically blinded. His vision is blurred. He’s working hard, every hard muscle in his body ripples as he rushes to finish up. He wants to get out of there as fast as possible. It’s hotter than hell. The children are at poolside. They are watching Felix work. “Hey you, hurry up down there, we want to go swimming.” “Come on. Put your back into it. Geez, you’re slower than hell.” They keep throwing little stones at Felix. They laugh when he is hit, because it makes him jump and squirm. After working about three hours, Felix gets thirsty. His mouth is dry and open. His dry tongue is hanging out. He can barely talk His raw throat rasps out-- “Hey you guys, can someone please go into the house and please ask your Mom for a glass of water— please.” That really sets the kids off. They mimic Felix. “Hey, can you please get me a glass of water? HaHaHa— just listen to the filthy little creep beg.” “Well, if you weren’t so damned slow you could get your own glass of water— HaHaHa.” They start a chant. “WORK! WORK! WORK! WORK!” Felix never gets to swim in the pool. Bobby |
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| © Copyright 2007 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Poor Felix! It's surely true - and I have experienced it personally - that children can be cruel, but I think they are cruel without being aware of how much they can hurt another. They only learn the lesson when they are the target. Your tale is sad. So very vivid that it makes one want to rescue the little one, if only ... May love reign in everybody's heart. Thank you for sharing. Love, Margherita |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA |
Margherita, What you say is very true. Felix’s foster brothers have picked up their nasty traits from their parents, who have never learned to share, they probably will remain that way into adulthood. Felix is a naturally born good-hearted kid. He’d like to help his foster brothers. However, they are most likely lost. Bobby |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Robert, [and forgive me for not calling you Bobby; Robert/Bob was my brother's name, and after a certain age, he deemed he was a Robert, and not a Bobby...] I wonder if you know of this Felix in reality; or is it just wisdom and time and faces that you have seen, to make him become reality? I am enjoying, with some discomfort of Felix and his Sister, your passage. |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA |
Sunshine, Even though I'm 70 years old, going on 71, I'm still known here in the neighborhood as "Bobby". The character Felix is based on experiences of an old friend from 50 years ago. He was in foster care, and related some of his experiences. He is somewhat of a tragic person. When he was sixteen, a family that gave him decent treatment had finally taken him in. They let him use their car. He died in an accident with the car. Bobby |
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paullallady Member
since 2007-04-03
Posts 262Michigan |
this is a sad poem that speaks more to the inheritance of cruelty than anything. I picture the parents passing theirs onto their children which is illustrated here. very sad. |
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Robert Jordan Member
since 2007-02-07
Posts 392Philadelphia Pa USA |
Paullallady, You nailed it exactly. There is always too much of that kind of stuff going around. Bobby |
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